How Are We Different?

There are some key differences between ourselves and other 'Christian' groups:

• We support the fact that God is one, and not three. The idea of a God made up of 3 parts (God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit) developed in the 300 years after Jesus died as a result of disputes within the orthodox church. The Bible teaches that Jesus was the Son of God but nowhere does it speak of him "pre-existing" in heaven as "God the Son" ("For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus" 1 Timothy 2:5).
• We support the fact that, when men and women die, they have a mortal soul (not an immortal soul with an existence in heaven or hell, after death). The Bible teaches that the only hope for eternal life is through a resurrection when Jesus returns ("the soul who sins shall die." Ezekiel 18:4; "For David did not ascend into the heavens," Acts 2:34 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:23).
• We support the fact that a true understanding of the Bible and full immersion baptism is essential for salvation. Nowhere in the Bible is there support for the sprinkling of infants. Infants have no understanding of what is happening to them nor of the responsibility implied with true baptism ("Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved" Mark 16:16).
• We support the fact that the Bible uses the "devil" as a symbol of sinful human nature. The idea that the devil is a powerful, supernatural tempter who will torment the wicked for eternity in hell, is not supported by the Bible ("Since therefore the children (you & I) share in flesh and blood, he (Jesus) himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil" Hebrews 2:14).

Upon careful examination of the Bible, it will be found that many other Christian groups' beliefs cannot be supported by the Bible. Many of these beliefs stem from an amalgamation of pagan ideas with Christ's teachings that were promoted after Jesus ascended to heaven.